I have a theory now. The middle eastern warlord was funded by Gotham, he was supplying Gotham business with cheap slave labor or something. That's why Ra's and Talia have such hate for Gotham specifically putting the world out of balance. Their poor country was made hell for Gotham's luxury.

What about all the other places the League hit then?

It's a nice theory, but it then makes you wonder what other places did to Ra's and the rest of the League when they didn't have Ra's al Ghul as their leader.